Quentin suspension means call-up for Blanks

Padres left fielder Kyle Blanks, center right, who tore up the Cactus League, has been recalled from Triple-A by the Padres with the start of Carlos Quentin's eight-game suspension. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
— AP

Padres left fielder Kyle Blanks, center right, who tore up the Cactus League, has been recalled from Triple-A by the Padres with the start of Carlos Quentin's eight-game suspension. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
/ AP

Like most everyone else, Kyle Blanks saw it on television, the fight between Carlos Quentin and Zack Greinke and the benches-clearing brawl that ensued between the Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Difference is, that crazed scene would mean the difference between Blanks being a major-league and a minor-league player.

“I can’t look at it like that,” said Blanks. “Whatever happens, happens.”

What happened was, Blanks showed up back in the Padres locker room at roughly the same time Quentin withdrew his appeal of the eight-game suspension that resulted from the imbroglio with Greinke. The suspension left the Padres with a 24-man roster over the next eight days and without a regular left fielder, so Blanks was summoned from Triple-A while relief pitcher Thad Weber was optioned to Tucson.

Likely the only reason Blanks wasn’t starting in left field for the Padres on Opening Day was the presence of Quentin. Blanks was a scourge in Cactus League play, batting .354 with three home runs, 14 runs batted in and 17 runs scored, and the Padres wanted him to build on that with as many at bats as possible in Triple-A. He was hitting .296 for Tucson before being recalled to San Diego.

“Things were going well,” said Blanks, a four-year veteran whose career has been impeded greatly by myriad injuries. “It feels the same as it did in spring (training) … I definitely feel comfortable, so regardless of how long I stay, I like where I’m an now and just want to stay there. That’s going to take care of the future for me.”

Somewhat oddly, as Quentin began his suspension with Sunday’s game, Blanks was limited to pinch-running duty in the ninth inning. Jesus Guzman played the entire game in left field.

“Guzzie’s a player, that’s why,” said manager Bud Black. “Guzzie’s a major league player.”

Cycle-free ... still

Everth Cabrera knew how close he was to the cycle. What he didn’t know, apparently, was how long the Padres have gone without one.

As in, never.

Players get close to the first cycle in Padres’ history at least a few times every season, never quite pulling it off, and now it was Cabrera’s turn. Needing a double to follow his triple, single and home run Saturday night, he stroked a ninth-inning single up the middle.

“I was trying,” said Cabrera. “I knew what I had to have. I hit the ball good and firm. I turned around (first base) thinking, maybe, maybe, but no way I can go to second. But I wanted it. “

Cabrera said he’s been one hit away from the feat a few times, usually needing a home run to complete it. Asked what it would have meant to be the first in franchise history to hit for the cycle, Cabrera instead was surprised to learn that it’s still unprecedented in San Diego.

“Amazing,” he said, “but it will happen.”

Etc.

• Logan Forsythe will have the protective boot removed from his right foot. At that time, the infielder said, the medical staff will determine the progress in Forythe's recovery from plantar fasciitis.

• A hitless game Sunday dropped center fielder Cameron Maybin's average to .067.

• Before the two-run homer he surrendered to Todd Helton, Padres reliever Dale Thayer had struck out 10 batters in 6 1/3 innings and not given up a hit all season, that spanning 20 at bats. The walk he issued before the homer, however, was his fifth.

• The Rockies have now won each of Jorge de la Rosa's last eight starts against the Padres.